I have never thought of it as anything useful, but actually some cultures practice some kind of painful rituals/techniques. So maybe it can have a therapeutic use, when handled with care and medical knowledge ?

What kind of stimulation does self-injury give ? Does it last for days ? Does it help with adhd or depression or bp or what exactly ?

Fuzzy12

08-03-17, 06:24 AM

I used to self injure many years ago before I ever suspected I had any mental health problems. :rolleyes:

It was a tool that I used for do many different things: to snap me out of depression or to underline (or increase) my motivation to do something (like study). The only problem was it didn't work. It is stimulating and it dI'd give me a kick I think (doesn't injury increase endorphins??) But the stimulation never lasted long. Mostly by the time I'd finished cleaning up and attending to the cut I'd feel like **** again.

So yeah, I wouldn't recommend it. :-)

I think it has got no place in therapy. Therapy (unlike many cultures or religions) should aim to teach you self respect, self esteem and self preservation. Self injury is the opposite of that (even though for me the aim ultimately was self preservation).

sarahsweets

08-06-17, 07:58 AM

I have never thought of it as anything useful, but actually some cultures practice some kind of painful rituals/techniques. So maybe it can have a therapeutic use, when handled with care and medical knowledge ?

What kind of stimulation does self-injury give ? Does it last for days ? Does it help with adhd or depression or bp or what exactly ?

IMO rituals that are painful but based on a religion, nation, tribe or other spiritual-like beliefs are completely different than self injury. I dont even think they are in the same ball park. Most often, self injury is a result of trauma- childhood or otherwise, PTSD, or an unheathly coping mechanism and way of grounding the person doing the injury. I am trying not to get all fired up over the comparison between the two.

midnightstar

08-06-17, 08:06 AM

My experience is at first you can control self injury but it all too soon gets out of control so I can't advise anyone start it.

userguide

08-06-17, 11:06 PM

OK, so we know skin cut is not the best idea. Harmful and short-lived and the stimulation is counteractive for add.

What about accupunture ? If they know how to put a needle into the body and supposedly relieve pain,
maybe that's a way to get an adrenaline stimulation ?

Also, cold therapy. Put an ice cube on your body and you are more alert. With no harm.

I mean if pain is a stimulation with side effects, lets get rid of the side effects.